This is a Research and Innovation Work Group (RIWG) which will enable teachers across secondary Maths and Science to work collaboratively to improve the coherence and learning outcomes for pupils.

Aim of the Work Group?

Maths is taught across many different subjects in a secondary school, not least in the Science department. Two teachers from each school (one from the Maths Dept and one from the Science Dept) will work together to establish similarities and differences in teaching approaches to help develop a cohesive experience for pupils.

This particular Work Group will focus on the following topics:

• presenting data through graphing
• analysing data using averages
• using formulae

We will be looking at how language, context, structures and representations may be used between Science and Maths departments to help the student understanding. Sessions will include a practical experiment to see how maths can be used to support science and vice versa. Although the sequencing of the topics is also an important part of the collaborative process, this Work Group will focus more on how we teach these topics rather than when.

Who can take part?

A pair of teachers from each school; one from the Maths department and one from the Science department. The teachers should have experience of curriculum delivery across KS3 and KS4.

What are the benefits?

Teachers will:

• Develop a greater awareness of the mathematical demands placed on students in science lessons
• Frame mathematical content in unfamiliar, real–life contexts appropriate to student learning in other curriculum areas.

Pupils will:

• Have a coherent and consistent mathematical learning journey in both maths and science lessons.

School will:

• Benefit from departments collaborating about teaching approaches.

What is the cost?

The Work Group is fully funded by the NCETM and so if free to teachers in state schools.